Clinton man claims $2 million Powerball prize

CANAAN, Maine — An unemployed truck driver scored a $2 million lottery prize late last month.

James Lovell of Clinton matched the first five numbers on the Feb. 23 Powerball ticket to claim $1 million. Because he used the Power Play option, his prize was doubled to $2 million, according to the Maine State Lottery.

“All of us here were talking about who the winner might be,” said Tom Ward, owner of the Canaan Superette where the winning ticket was purchased. “We were excited to find out it was one of our regular players. James is a nice guy and it’s great that the win was for someone in our own community.”

Lovell set up two trusts for his granddaughters and bought a new diesel truck, fully accessorized with a plow, according to the Maine State Lottery.

Lovell’s winning numbers were 02-05-31-39-41, but he incorrectly guessed the Powerball number, which was 29.

He took home a $1.4 million check, according to the Maine State Lottery.

For selling the winning ticket, Canaan Superette will receive $20,000, according to Timothy Poulin, deputy director of the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations.